Boston’s Best Kid-Friendly Haunted Houses

Local haunted houses or haunted hayrides can prove to be a harrowing, truly frightening experience, even for the most hardened of scare hounds. Whether it’s learned horror actors plying their scary trade upon unsuspecting visitors/victims, or simply the shock of some truly gruesome Halloween make-up, going to a haunted house isn’t always a family friendly affair. Luckily for those with small children, Boston offers its fair share of kid-friendly haunted houses, full of scares which, although fairly spooky, prove accommodating for both parents and children alike.

Although Braintree’s established haunted house offers plenty of adult-themed scares, the city’s landmark scare fair — now entering its 32nd year of existence as a fundraising affair for two elementary schools — also features a not-so-scary night. Enjoy hot dogs, popcorn and soda during a lighter-themed festival of frights, far more suitable for those arriving with small, easily spooked little ones in tow. Babysitting is even made available for those adults who wish to check out one of the house’s more extreme fright nights.

While not a house, per se, Haunted Boston Ghost Tours provides instead an open-air tour of the city’s most haunted and historical streets. Reserved guests will enjoy a 90-minute guided foot tour, regaled by tales of the city’s hidden secrets, fantastic ghost stories and untold tales of mystery. Though the nighttime tour is led by lantern light throughout such landmarks as Boston Common and Boston Athenaeum, The Haunted Boston Ghost Tour prides itself on being a family friendly outing, a one-of-a-kind experience where all are welcome.

Spooky World has long served as New England’s premier horror and haunted house destination for all discerning fright buffs, young and old. The legendary theme park attraction enjoyed its 20th anniversary last year, kicking off celebratory events in grand fashion by bringing the scare to Boston’s equally legendary Fenway Park. Dubbed The Fear at Fenway, Spooky World’s horrifying nighttime festivities aren’t for the squeamish, although there is a special matinee package set aside for more suitable, kid-friendly affairs. Both serve as particularly satisfying ways to grab ’em while they’re young in terms of instilling a love of proper horror scares.
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Hours: Oct. 27-28 – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Price: $17 adults/$14 seniors 62 and older/$11 childrenMany local zoos hold special Halloween celebrations, designed for a proper boo at the zoo in which children and parents may enjoy some lighthearted scares amongst the animals. Franklin Park Zoo is, of course, no exception, annually holding its Zoo Howl for families each Halloween. Crafts, games, trick-or-treating and a haunted maze are just a few of the activities this Boston landmark provides for parents and their masked young ones, with the entire zoo getting in on the creepy-crawly act. Hayrides are also provided by Pine Meadow Farm, ensuring fun for all ages this Halloween season.

Salem’s Tales and Tombstones trolley tour is a family friendly ride through the haunted city of witches, an event in which both parents and kids may get spooked together, learning about Salem’s haunted history throughout the month of October. The narrated one-hour tour details Salem’s infamous witch trials while also stopping by historic Chestnut Street, widely considered to be one of the nation’s most beautiful. The falling leaves and crisp autumn weather should set the perfect backdrop for a Halloween treat for parents and their little ghosts.

George Pacheco has been writing professionally about arts and entertainment for over a decade. A graduate of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, George currently resides in a humble New England home with his wife, cat and massive music and film collection. His work can be found at Examiner.com.